Gareth Bale's long-range goal helped to make sure Real Madrid did not miss Cristiano Ronaldo as they cruised to a 4-0 victory at Real Sociedad, staying within three points of Atlético Madrid, in third place.

With Ronaldo out with a knee injury, Real's visit to Sociedad was billed as their most difficult remaining league fixture. Instead, it proved to be anything but, with the visitors putting together a no-nonsense performance highlighted by Bale's outstanding strike.

Sociedad's early push sputtered out when their former player Asier Illarramendi tilted the game in Madrid's favour just before half-time, by scoring a rebound from Karim Benzema's shot that the goalkeeper, Claudio Bravo, pushed down in front of his net.

After Sergio Ramos and Benzema had both hit the woodwork, Bale pounced on Bravo's scuffed goal-kick that fell to him 30 yards outside the area before unleashing a blistering left-footed strike just after the hour.

Pepe swept in Madrid's third in the 85th minute before the substitute Álvaro Morata scored with two minutes left.

Illarramendi, who was roundly whistled by the Sociedad fans every time he touched the ball, told the Spanish broadcaster Canal Plus: "It's always special to return home. We found it tough in the first half but the match opened up in the second half and we made the most of the extra space. There are not many games left and we have to win them all if we are to have a chance."